Research Project Manager (Job Number: 26000901)
Research and Innovation Services
Grade 7: - £38,784 - £43,482 per annum
Fixed Term - Full Time
Contract Duration: 24 Months
Contracted Hours per Week: 35
Closing Date: 02-Aug-2026, 5:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.
The Context - Why We Need You
‘Reimagining Pathways into Environmental Science through Showcasing Technical Careers’ is a 29- month project at Durham University funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). The project aims to empower young people from socially disadvantaged backgrounds into a technical career in environmental science. Part of the NERC ‘Opening up the Environment 2026’ work programme, the project seeks to lead and influence opportunities to enable a technical career. It collaborates with environmental science partners to develop opportunities for young people to consider a career in environmental science. It will evaluate and embed learnings from the project that will influence T Level policy and curriculum development. The project has workstreams around the promotion of technical careers, T Level placements, and policy and partnerships between regional Further Education colleges and environmental science industrial partners.
The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.
We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.
The Role and the Department
The Research Project Manager will shape and enable the delivery of the ‘Reimagining Pathways into Environmental Science through Showcasing Technical Careers’ project. The postholder will facilitate and contribute to the design and delivery of this complex project to generate meaningful impact on technical career opportunities for young people across the north east, working with Further Education colleges, regional environmental science industry partners and national organisations for example the Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy.
Embedded within the project team, they will be involved in shaping and delivering the operational and programme management of the workstreams, including being a key collaborator on how the workstreams interact together and designing approaches for effective interventions in the project. They will be critical in the development and dissemination of the project’s aims, outcomes and communication. The Research Project Manager will have excellent organisational, analytical and project management skills, and be motivated in working in a very collaborative team, with a diversity of skills, where a culture of respect, care and ambition are key elements of the environment that the team aligns with.
The post is located within Research and Innovation Services in the Research Culture Team, but, crucially, is embedded in the project team. The post-holder’s line manager will be the Senior Research Culture Manager, Andrew Moss (also a Co-L) but on a day to day basis they will be working collaboratively across the project team and the Project Advisory Group. The team includes PL: Neil Tunstall (Department of Geography) the co-leads: Beth Upex (Department of Archaeology), Helen Cramman (School of Education), Johanna Thren (Department of Anthropology), Lorraine Coghill (Faculty of Science), Sophie Edwards (Department of Earth Sciences), Sophie Laidler (Department of Archaeology), Tim Hawkins (Department of Biosciences), a postdoctoral research associate and 3 research assistants. We are a cross-departmental and cross-faculty team and will be based in a collaborative space. We also offer the opportunity for flexible hybrid working subject to the business delivery requirements of the project.
The RPM will manage the day-to-day administration of the project including project timeline, key deliverables, financial management (in liaison with the RIS post-award team) and meeting administration. The RPM will support the workstream leads in the organisation of key elements within each workstream, including collaborating with key internal and external stakeholders (including FE Colleges and students) to organise and establish T Level placement opportunities and meeting liaison with industry partners and collaborators. The RPM will lead on event organisation and marketing, and the communications and engagement plan. The PM will work alongside the project team to ensure the smooth running of the project and that risks are mitigated and managed. The RPM will also be involved in the project reporting phase enabling the dissemination of outputs, as well as the final close of the project.
We believe this role presents an excellent opportunity for candidates who would like to develop a career in research and innovation culture and project management. We welcome applications from individuals with strong transferable skills and experience from different careers and sectors, potentially in organisational change, research culture, further education development or project management. You may have worked in research administration for a number of years and be looking for another opportunity. You may have recently finished a PhD or postdoctoral role and wish to explore career paths beyond academia. You may work outside of HE but have experience of project management that has included working with a diverse team and internal and external stakeholders. We welcome applications from individuals who feel they meet the essential criteria below, regardless of background or experience.
Research and Innovation Services
Research and Innovation Services (RIS) provides guidance, expert advice and hands-on support for all aspects of research and research-related work, including securing funding, working with partners, undertaking knowledge exchange, demonstrating impact, commercialising outputs, ensuring good research practice and supporting professional development.
Working arrangements: This role is full time (35 hours/week) but we will consider requests for flexible working arrangements including potential job shares. It is expected that this role will be predominantly face-to-face on campus, and the successful applicant will be prepared to locate to the northeast of England. There will be some scope for hybrid working arrangements in agreement with line manager, but this post will not be fully hybrid.
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:
- You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
- We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
- No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
- We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
- We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
- Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
- Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
- We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
- You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
- Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
- If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.
Your application should cover the following criteria:
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.
Your application should cover the following criteria:
Essential Criteria
Qualifications/Experience
1. Experience of working within a research management and/or project management environment.
2. Experience of working within and supporting a team towards a collective endeavour.
3. A robust understanding, and passion for the development of a positive research culture and the Technician Commitment
4. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
5. Professional practitioner with knowledge and expertise in the delivery and development of services, events, and activities within the organisation.
6. Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting change and service improvements.
7. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
8. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice, develop strong and productive working relationships and positively influence the University’s reputation.
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
9. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
10. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications.
11. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
12. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
13. Commitment to and ability to ensure good communication within the project team and project across the organisation, as well as to external interested stakeholders.
14. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
Desirable Criteria
1. Experience of working in a Higher Education institution.
2. Knowledge and understanding of the rapidly changing operation and culture of Higher Education.
3. Relevant project management, postgraduate or professional qualification.
How to Apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
What you need to submit
- A CV: and
- A covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out above and how you satisfy each essential criteria within the personal specification section of the job description.
Contact details
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact:
Andrew Moss, Senior Research Culture Manager and Co-I – [email protected]
Typical Role Requirements
Service Delivery/Development
- Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.
- Review and look for ways to improve systems and procedures that are relevant to your area of work in line with the University’s frameworks and regulations.
- Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to your professional area of expertise, in line with the University’s policies, regulations and values.
- Manage the delivery of activities and events relating to the project across the University to a high standard.
- Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from the project team, project advisory board and stakeholders and contribute to ideas and service improvements.
- Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpreting and analysing complex data and information sources.
- Look for ways to improve business or process administration across the project.
- Identify any learning needs that should be met by stakeholders and design activities and arrange any training.
Planning and Organisation
- Contribute to operational leadership teams to influence the type and level of services that are provided through the project.
- Contribute to progressing the strategic and operational priorities of the project.
- Seek feedback from the team and stakeholders so that the project is being adapted to meet expectations and KPIs and to plan future requirements.
- Analyse data on the level of service being provided by the project to recommend areas for future improvement.
- Meet the development needs of your stakeholders, providing training when required.
- Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.
Communication/Liaison
- Provide advice and share guidance with your stakeholders to ensure that the University’s policies, procedures and regulations are complied with.
- Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
- Coordinate and organise committees and other business meetings and deal with any related complaints.
- Update policies and procedures in response to any internal or external changes.
- Use your expertise to provide training or guidance to other stakeholders.
- Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.
- Any other reasonable duties.
Useful links
If you would like further information you may find the following will help:
To read more about Durham University’s Technician Commitment, please see here: Technician Commitment - Durham University
SECONDMENT
The post is full time, fixed term for a 2 year period and may be offered on an internal secondment basis subject to the agreement of the current line manager.
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.
